Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT) is a vision of the late Elder, Joe Sylvester. Initial efforts began with a diabetes research project, which realized that a more comprehensive approach to health care was needed by the Aboriginal community. In response, Anishnawbe Health Resources was incorporated in 1984. One of its objectives stated, “To recover, record and promote Traditional Aboriginal practices where possible and appropriate.”

Today, AHT not only promotes Traditional Aboriginal practices but has affirmed and placed them at its core. Its model of health care is based on Traditional practices and approaches and are reflected in the design of its programs and services.

In 1989, having successfully secured resources from the Ministry of Health, Anishnawbe Health Toronto became recognized and funded as a community health centre.

Since then, AHT has and continues to grow to meet the needs of the community it serves. As a fully accredited community health centre, AHT offers access to health care practitioners from many disciplines including Traditional Healers, Elders and Medicine People. Ancient ceremonies and traditions, intrinsic to our health care model are available. Our work with the homeless has evolved from early directions of crisis intervention to our current efforts of working with those who seek to escape homelessness. Training programs offer community members the opportunity to learn and grow in a culture based setting.

Through our Mission, Vision, Beliefs and Principles, we continue to honour and respect the hopes and dreams of those who first envisioned a healing centre for the Aboriginal Community of Toronto.